Common Thread

Marmalade tells the story of Baron (Joe Keery), a naive but earnest mailman who lives in a small, uneventful town. We’re first introduced to Baron as he’s arrested for bank robbery, and subsequently incarcerated for his crime. Baron begins to rehash the happenings that brought him to his present circumstances to his prison mate, Otis (Aldis Hodge): how he fell in love with a mysterious vigilante named Marmalade (Camila Morrone), how she convinced him to help her rob a bank, and how he plans to get back to her. What ensues is a wild ride of a dark comedy, that packs a heavy punch in humor, multiple twists and turns that leave the viewer on the edge of their seat, and a handful of standout performances from the three leads. 

Marmalade is the directorial debut of Keir O’Donnell, who is best known for his work in front of the camera. O’Donnell is also responsible for the screenplay. For a debut, this film is certainly an impressive entry, maintaining a perfect pace and a smartly written screenplay. The beginning of the film moves a bit slower (but not too slow), mirroring Baron’s mundane life as a postman in a town that has hardly anything going on. We learn that Baron is a caregiver to his sick mother, and a recent price increase of her life-saving medicine, coupled with the loss of his job, has left him anxious over the ability to care for her. 

Yet, everything changes from the moment Marmalade sweeps in, pink hair flowing in the wind of her convertible and all. From there, not only does the story pick up, but so does the action, with multiple montages of the pair causing chaos around town feeling rightfully erratic and messy, matching Marmalade’s unpredictable personality, and her ability to shake up Baron’s world. The story never lags, and there are just enough twists and turns thrown in to leave the viewer on edge, hungry for more. O’Donnell is offering a rollercoaster of a story, which is made all the more enticing by the performances of the leads. The result of which is an absolutely entertaining watch of a film. 

While the screenplay is strong, the structure of the comedy at play is innately precise, which requires actors who are willing to sell the characters. Without such, the story runs the risk of falling flat. Luckily, Marmalade strikes a home run with actors giving it their very best. Joe Keery has given a fair few performances over the years that have demonstrated he’s a multifaceted actor who understands how to give his characters depth. Here, Keery is giving an arguable career highlight performance. He portrays Baron with the perfect amount of earnestness and naiveté, making it easy to root for him, without ever crossing the line of being overly obtuse. There’s a level of compassion that Keery brings to his portrayal of the hapless mailman-turned-felon that ultimately sells the role, and in turn, sells the film. 

Camila Morrone is giving a performance that feels completely out of her usual, but in the best way. Marmalade is unhinged, cunning, and maniacal, changing her motives and aims on the drop of a hat. Morrone is not afraid to submit to the madness of her character, and the moments where she fully surrenders to the chaos are some of the brighter points of the film. Yet, she also manages to maintain at least a small sense of grounding, exuding a sense of magnetism that makes the viewer understand why Baron would be willing to go along with her schemes. And that is ultimately what makes the two leads so strong. There is a perfect understanding of their highest and lowest emotions, without ever making them caricatures, which coupled with Keery and Morrone’s tangible chemistry, makes cinematic magic. 

Aldis Hodge also gives a standout performance in the film, peeling back the layers of his character in such a precise and well-timed way. Hodge absolutely nails the humor of his character, with laser-focused comedic timing. 

At its core, Marmalade is the perfect blend a of heist film (à la Bonnie and Clyde), dark comedy, and a romantic comedy, all rolled into one. The smart and witty screenplay, coupled with stellar performances, make for a thrill to watch.